Disappointed with lack of pre-departure beverage (PDB) & other experiences
Mar 12, 2019, 3:42 am
#226
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I'm fairly new to United. I'm 2/2 on pdb (SFO-OGG and back on 752).
I flew them once last year (SFO-PHX; my first purchase with my CSR) and I think I got a pdb then too, but it was too long ago to be sure.
What I like about UA PDB is that it's full bar. On AS they have gone to sparkling wine (which I don't drink), juice (which I also don't drink) or water. And half the time they don't bother to offer it. Even on JL (in F!!) the only pdb options were champagne (again, which I don't drink) or water (or maybe juice, I don't remeber) I asked for a beer and I was told I could get one after takeoff. Service was beyond outstanding but I was very surprised to be limited in PDB choice.
I appreciate being able to get a scotch or a beer before takeoff. So, good job, UA.
I flew them once last year (SFO-PHX; my first purchase with my CSR) and I think I got a pdb then too, but it was too long ago to be sure.
What I like about UA PDB is that it's full bar. On AS they have gone to sparkling wine (which I don't drink), juice (which I also don't drink) or water. And half the time they don't bother to offer it. Even on JL (in F!!) the only pdb options were champagne (again, which I don't drink) or water (or maybe juice, I don't remeber) I asked for a beer and I was told I could get one after takeoff. Service was beyond outstanding but I was very surprised to be limited in PDB choice.
I appreciate being able to get a scotch or a beer before takeoff. So, good job, UA.
Mar 12, 2019, 8:27 am
#227
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,251
I would send a complaint to GS. It is described as part of the service. Neglecting to provide it constitutes a failure.
Mar 20, 2019, 4:27 pm
#228
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
UA322
Been sitting on UA322 CLE-IAH. Was first to board, still not so much as a water offered after nearly 30 min of sitting here with flight fully boarded, no delay.
Mar 20, 2019, 4:29 pm
#229
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,846
Mar 20, 2019, 4:34 pm
#230
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
I was not offered s PDD, and sat in 2 A. DCA IND, So upset I could cry,
The FA were late, it was their fault,
Got home safe, all I care about..
The FA were late, it was their fault,
Got home safe, all I care about..
Mar 20, 2019, 4:39 pm
#231
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,410
Sorta OT ... about a month ago traveling LAX-SAT I boarded with the 1Ks after all the pax with small children and military personnel. I was the second person to take their seat in the F cabin. As the other F pax and I were taking our seats, the FA subsequently started asking every other F pax what they wanted for their PDB! 
We looked at each other, both confused about why we had been passed over. Did she just assume that we weren't sitting up front for some reason?
But we eventually got our PDBs, too ... and arrived at SAT safely. So all ended up right with the world (aboard UA #5755 , that is) that evening.
We looked at each other, both confused about why we had been passed over. Did she just assume that we weren't sitting up front for some reason?But we eventually got our PDBs, too ... and arrived at SAT safely. So all ended up right with the world (aboard UA #5755 , that is) that evening.
Mar 21, 2019, 7:26 am
#233
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
Yes, and no drink, only one during the flight and no refills,
Not a good group of FA, late to work, and even later in the job,
Not a good group of FA, late to work, and even later in the job,
Mar 25, 2019, 1:31 pm
#234
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
Three more no-PDB: two mainline sub-2h flights, one to-US Polaris (one FA wandered around with a tray of OJ, but never stopped by me). No delays.
Mar 25, 2019, 2:30 pm
#235
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,943
Sometimes, FA gave PDBs to early-boarding pax and he/she was busy on food ordering while I settled down due to late boarding. On B772 with four-across seating in a row, the middle pax could be often forgotten. I was passed over for PDBs on my last B772 flights. Did I get upset? No, I was happy to get the upgrades (CPU/RPU) and could lie flat for 4-5 hours.
I have to say that some FAs were not too concentrated on their job to make every passenger happy.
I have to say that some FAs were not too concentrated on their job to make every passenger happy.
Mar 26, 2019, 2:51 am
#236
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
Zero PDBs in Polaris—at least the back cabin—on UA837 SFO to HND on 3/25. Boarding had been very delayed because of weather in SFO but I was shocked they couldn't even walk around with a tray of drinks. Maybe it's the result of them cutting that one staff position.
Mar 26, 2019, 9:45 am
#237
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
LAX-EWR scheduled to depart 9:15pm. Crew definitely not lazy, but seemed somewhat overwhelmed with the tasks to perform. Did receive a cold bottled water prior to departure.
EWR-LAX scheduled to depart 7:00am. More senior crew seemed relaxed and familiar with the aircraft. Full PDB served. ^
Mar 26, 2019, 7:02 pm
#238
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
Yeah, on my SFO NRT, there was a large bottle of water at each seat, but the crew were rushing around, at least in the rear Polaris cabin, and seemed, as you write, overwhelmed.
Mar 31, 2019, 4:34 pm
#239
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
3/3 for PDBs on United this year, sure better than my upgrade percentage which is 3/8
Mar 31, 2019, 8:44 pm
#240
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
I can safely say I havet NOT had a PDB in at least 50 flights. And none of those include just water. The least amount of serviced offered was a tray of water, Oj, or Processo. Once offered that tray, I asked for something else, and it was no problem.